Weight: 7 Pounds 10 Ounces
Height: 20 inches
Head: 36 cm
With those big numbers she doesn't even fall into a percentile. But she has doubled her birth weight!
Last week, I took Avery to Nevada Early Invention. Her hospital case worker referred us there to make sure Avery's development was on track with her being so early. Thankfully, everything was great. The Occupational Therapist said she was one of the best developed preemie he had seen in years! That made me feel good!
We had two trips to the doctor this week. The first was on Tuesday for her scheduled check-up and the second was an unexpected trip on Thursday. Around 2am on Thursday morning, I changed Avery's diaper and was terrified at what I saw. She had a bloody stool. I was scared so I woke up Josh. He also thought it looked like blood.
In the morning, I called the doctor's office. They told me to bring her right in. I took the soiled diaper to get tested. Sure enough it was blood. Her doctor thought it was an infection or an allergy to dairy. I was honestly hoping for the dairy allergy. As a precaution, he switch her formula to special predigested formula called Nutramigen and told me to cut all dairy out of my diet for the breast milk. After that we spent all afternoon running around to get an xray of her stomach and to three different labs to get Ave's blood drawn. The first two labs said that she was too small and they didn't feel comfortable with drawing blood. Finally the third lab (its 5:30 by now, we left for the doctor office at 10:15), was able to draw the necessary blood.
I decided that if the test came back that Avery was allergic to dairy, we would stop breastfeeding. Sure enough, the primarily results came back...Ave has an allergy to dairy. Thankfully, it wasn't an infection (I don't think I could do another hospital stay). Help...how do I stop the milk?
She thinks she pretty big stuff sitting in her bumbo!
11 comments:
She is so adorable and has certainly worked her way into our hearts. Glad that the problem was not infection. Keep the pictures coming. Love Ya
The good news on the dairy is it doesn't last that long. Jaxon had mild reactions to it and I have another friend whose daughter was like Avery. If she ever ate anything she shouldn't it was awful the next morning. Soy milk is okay for you to drink though, but no dairy is no fun! Glad it wasn't anything worse!
Im glad its only the milk allergy. Jackson has a "sensitivity to milk" so he is on alimentum formula...they are hoping by 4 months when we introduce solids he can have regular formula...but if not then we stick with the alimentum. She is so cute. She is just a little bit bigger than JJ was at BIRTH haha:) She is so tiny yet growing so big which is wonderful!
I hope that the allergy doesn't last forever because not being able to eat dairy sucks. I know you aren't too hip on milk anyway but if you're jonesing for some cheese, almond cheese is a great way to go.
Avery is beautiful!
I'm glad your princess is ok.
How cute is she?! Glad that everything is okay. Allergies are no fun, but definitely manageable. I have a nephew who is allergic to dairy and soy milk has been wonderful for them. She's also found a lot of recipes and substitutes and stuff, so if your cute little girl doesn't outgrow her allergies by the time she starts eating "real" food (? Not baby food, etc...) I'll send you a list!
Dang, I'm sorry! That would have been a very stressful experience, on top of everything you've already been through. I am glad she's going to be ok. Hopefully that is an allergy she can outgrow. Good luck with the no dairy/stopping the milk thing. I don't have any good advice.
I've heard that using cabbage leaves helps to dry up your milk...? good luck
You know what I'm going to say, but I'll say it anyway: Don't stop breastfeeding. You may have to cut out milk from your diet, but breastmilk is the best thing for babies, especially premies. Allergies are hard. Maura has several and now I think Gavin does too. But I've seen two other premies just thrive and grow and you would never know they were premature. I know it's hard, but if you can do it, I would keep doing it. My good friend told me to do it for at least 6 months and then re-evaluate. By the time I got to that point, I decided I wanted to keep doing it for them, not for me. And by my third baby, I fell in love with breastfeeding.
However, if you want to stop. I don't think cold-turkey is the most comfortable. Weaning gradually is best - for both of you. Especially you.
I can't believe it's been three months! She looks great! So glad everything is ok.
Glad she doesn't have an infection. The only thing I can think of to help you with engorgement is ice packs and keeping them "wrapped" like with an ace bandage or a sports bra. It really shouldn't take but a couple days...you hope!!!
Post a Comment